The amazing spectacle created by Professor Theodore Saltmoor for the delectation and delight of visitors to Southend.

Following the great success of his fantastic travelling automata shows, Dr. Theodore Saltmoor (a very forward thinking Victorian engineer / showman) became fascinated with the stories of his uncle (a renown seaman and reputedly the inspiration for Jules Verne's Captain Nemo. 

These stories inspired him to create a showcase for fantastical creations inspired by the sea creatures he was told of.  Theodore was determined that his automata not only resemble the frightening creatures of the deep, but were able to move and react to their environment and onlookers.

The design of the very building itself was inspired by the look of the mythical undersea beasts and the surroundings at the end of Southend Pier.  The Pier was also home to extraordinary contraptions that Theodore built to try to replicate the pressures and forces he thought would be inflicted on the body in travels to the deepest crevasses of the ocean floors.

For several years people came from far and wide to see the new wonders of the deep brought to life in front of their eyes.  Unfortunately for Theodore, his prize exhibit disappeared one night after showing signs of independent thought.  A Little known government group, the 1867 committee started taking exceptional interest in Theodore's work, and his exhibition was closed down.

Theodore continued to develop his underwater creatures but, abandoned by his backers, the building fell into disrepair and was eventually washed away in a winter storm.  Theodore died a broken man.


Many years later a local man, out walking his dog on the shoreline came across a half buried, barnacle encrusted rusty metacanister.  The contents of which had remained intact in the water for over 100 years.  On further examination of the documents, Dr. Theodore amazing ideas were brought to light.

Inspired by the find, he vowed that a new building celebrating the forgotten Dr. Theodore life would be recreated.  Little could anyone imagine that in the creeks and depths beneath the old pier and sandbanks of the estuary some of Dr. Theodore's creations had survived.  His genius had created machines capable of intelligent thought.  This had not only allowed them to survive, but to evolve.  Their instinct drew them back 'home'.

Through the capture of some prize specimens, modern scientists hope to discover how this has happened - it is yet to be discovered if the creatures can co-exist peacefully in the modern word.  However, living examples of these creatures have been successfully integrated into the new building at the Pier Head for the excitement of visitors.  You can view them in their specially constructed pool, or if you are lucky you can see them emerge and wander amongst you.....